Shorpy War Photos-- Part 2: Rowers and Nazi Salute in American Schools?

From the Shorpy photo site.

APRIL 11, 2014 BEACHED: 1942--  July 1942  July 1942  "U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, rowing crew.  Lt. Whitman, OWI.

Even with the war on, the new officers still had to be trained.

APRIL 9, 2014  TO THE REPUBLIC: 1942  May 1942  "Southington, Ct..  School children pledging allegiance to the flag."  By Fenno Jacobs, OWI.

A very interesting photo.  At first I thought they were doing the Nazi salute as the kids were holding up their right hands at a 45 degree angle. with the hand palm down

A reader commented that this was the Bellamy Salute where students were to turn their hands over when the words "to my flag" were said.  Later it was changed to the right hand over the heart and the words "to the flag."

This occurred because what they were doing was too similar to the Nazi salute.

Later, the hand was changed to over the heart throughout the pledge.

A Really Interesting Photo.  --GreGen